Andrew Jackson, an American general, statesman, and lawyer, served from 1829 to 1837 as the seventh president of the United States1. His failed assassination led most Americans to believe he was blessed to govern the young nation, which, among other aspects, contributed to the massive growth rate during the 1830s. He sought to lobby for the commoner’s rights, fighting against a corrupt aristocracy and inherited elites to preserve the Union. Commonly referred to as the Jacksonian Democracy, his era was run and built on the following principles: Manifest destiny, expanded suffrage, laissez-faire economics, strict constructionism, and patronage.
In this paper, Washington D.C., one of the conterminous states, is evaluated based on demographic, cultural, and economic changes during the Jacksonian era. Additionally, industrialization and scientific advancements course themes will be examined, basing the context on the occurrences of the Jacksonian Era (Edward, 1978). Moreover, the importance of industrialization and scientific advancement significance will be assessed by identifying implications of the same to the Jacksonian era’s social, economic, and political frameworks. Lastly, Washington’s industrialization and scientific advancements are described as a case study related to the United States.
Washington experienced the Jacksonian era laissez-faire economics philosophy that lobbied for free markets free from government intervention. Andrew Jackson believed economies would experience high success rates if the government’s interventions were minimized or eliminated2. This was in line with his democratic philosophy, which encouraged policies that favored the commoner. Despite the fight for the inclusion of a free-market philosophy and democratic policies that favored the commoner, rivals emerged. Whigs and Adams, also referred to as Anti-Jacksonians, adopted Jefferson’s philosophies, particularly those facilitating schools and colleges (Edward, 1984, 1-27). Indeed, the democratic spirit hugely contributed to the adoption of economic policies that refuted the monopoly of resources by white elites.
The culture of the Americans significantly changed during the Jacksonian era. The country’s belief system was based on social stratification and greatly influenced by the country’s political status. Habits and norms dictated that only the elites had a monopoly over the country’s resources. The country before 1824 was politically, financially, and culturally separated. Indeed, 1824 to 1832 saw unimaginable political chaos (Edward, 1984, 1-27). Every state had multiple political factions, especially with the death of the Federalist Party, the First Party System, and the withering away of the old Democratic-Republican Party. Despite the existence of multiple political factions, no state crossed border lines. At this time, politicians created and dissolved alliances and coalitions (Edward, 1984, 1-27). With Whigs being the main opposition, the new Democratic Party consisted of a coalition of Irish Catholics, poor farmers, and city-dwelling laborers. The new Democratic Party shared a fundamental commitment to the agrarian society, a philosophy presented by Jefferson3. The culture of Washington during the Jacksonian era was influenced by reforms in education – for example, the establishment of church schools and reforms in politics and the financial sectors.
In the 1830s, when Jacksonian philosophies of laissez-faire – businesses free from government interventions and democracy favored the commoner- significantly increased the total population (Edward, 1978). With reduced government interventions, business operations were easy to conduct for most people, even those with fewer resources and without permits. Additionally, this was an era of industrialization, where factories employed numerous people while offering wages for labor. Moreover, agricultural economies saw a tremendous hike during the Jacksonian era. Essentially, the laissez-faire French for “leave alone” enabled business operations for the average man (Edward, 1978). With increased economic growth, the number of immigrants increased. There was an increased need for enslaved people to work in factories and agricultural farms. Immigration and the reduced cost of living favored by apt economic policies saw tremendous population growth. Further, advancements in science, mainly medicine, saw a reduced mortality rate. Thus, with increasing birth rates and reduced mortality rates, the population rate accelerated.
Industrialization refers to the transformation from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing economy. An agricultural economy, such as the one advanced by the Democratic Party in the 1830s, constitutes economic institutions based on the agricultural sector. Raw materials for agricultural institutions are sourced from lands. On the other hand, industrialization constitutes economic establishments based on manufacturing processes. Raw materials for manufacturing industries are derived from mining, land, and synthetic materials. Scientific advancements comprise the changes in science due to inventions and discoveries of scientific materials and information. Industrialization and scientific advancements are improvements from past human activities for self-development. For example, an industry that manufactures better farming tools or discovers a drug to cure a previously untreatable disease.
The Jacksonian era saw a tremendous spike in industrial processes4. Despite the ruling party’s support for agrarian policies, the opponents, the Whigs, supported industrialization, including developing banks, roads, and railways. Further, the laissez-faire philosophy accelerated industrialization growth. There were several benefits of industrialization and scientific advancements during the Jacksonian era.
To begin with, industrialization led to an increase in job opportunities. People moved from agricultural practices that often did not provide sufficient income to factory jobs paid using wages. Also, industrialization inspired and promoted innovation (Struik, 1959, 1100-1106). With the initiation of industrial processes, society’s demands for industrial products increased. This inspired the development of better tools and the employment of new solutions to meet rising customer demands.
Moreover, there were increased production levels (Struik, 1959, 1100-1106). With the increased demand for industrial products, particularly for building, railway development, agricultural equipment, and urban businesses, industries were forced to increase output levels. Accordingly, the rise in market demand led to competition. Industries began seeking ways to create better equipment and industrial products than competitors in the markets. Also, realizing the rising need for industrial products, people established their industries, offering different products or similar but better products and services5. Additional development of industries led to the rise of the export-import market, particularly due to the rising need for raw materials. Industrialization fundamentally led to improved processes in virtually every sector, including home, business, agriculture, and finance.
Industrialization was significant in the Jacksonian era, in positive aspects and negative areas. The fast-growing industrial revolution led to poor working conditions. Human resources became scarce with the increasing demand for industrial products (Struik, 1959, 1100-1106). People were needed in enormous numbers to work in factories, operating the repetitive tasks in the industries6. This increased risk of workplace accidents and incidents, such as death and stress.
Due to the high number of workers, workers were forced to live close to unhygienic conditions. Consequently, since most men spent over 12 hours in factories, spending time with families became a problem. Also, if one became sick or got injured, they were probably fired. Additionally, child labor emerged due to the rising need for cheap labor in industries (Pavarini, 2018). Children would work for similar periods as adults but receive lower wages7. Further, urbanization leads to poor housing and living conditions, especially near the factories.
Scientific advancements were similarly of significance during the Jacksonian Era. The Jacksonian era was a period of massive industrialization. However, agrarian practices were still in play, as most food products were produced agriculturally. With science came new methods of exterminating crop pests. Additionally, there were methods for preventing weed growth and increasing crop and animal yields8. Communication became more efficient as scientists continued improving and making it cheaper and more reliable. The transport industry also sprouted, allowing the movement of people and goods within short periods. Most notable were health scientific improvements. Science alleviated ancient myths and laid a platform for treating disease in humans, animals, and plants based on objective and subjective data.
Washington, one of the conterminous states, can be used as a case study illustrating the broader implications of industrialization and scientific advancements in the United States. Jacksonian era effects on Washington describe an intensive systematic investigation that can be employed to form conclusions for other conterminous states. Washington stands out as a case study for Industrialization and scientific advancements in several ways.
In comparison to the entire nation, Washington is relatively small. This implies that information on the Jacksonian era in this particular state is easy to obtain, analyze and form conclusions. For example, the effect of the patronage principle is commonly referred to as the “spoils system.” The patronage principle was a policy that advocated the placement of supporters of a particular political coalition into appointed offices. These acts and their implications can be examined in Washington, and similar results are expected in other states.
Washington stands as a case study because it can be studied thoroughly and deeply. Quantitative and qualitative data can easily be assembled to form broader conclusions for the nation. For example, studying the nation’s demographic or cultural changes, AND comparing that to Jacksonian principles, would be overwhelming. However, dealing with Washington’s population metrics is more manageable and, when accurately analyzed, can offer insight necessary for other states as well.
In the Jacksonian era, politics, economy, and society were built on expanded suffrage, laissez-faire economics, strict constructionism, patronage, and manifest destiny principles. This is well shown by the analysis of Washington’s demographics, culture, and economy. The Jacksonian era saw a tremendous rise in population and massive changes in culture and economy. The rise was based on better economics and a politically safe country, facilitating immigration and increased birth rates. Similarly, the Jacksonian era faced massive changes due to industrialization and scientific advancements. Industrialization was significant during the Jacksonian era because it facilitated innovation, promoted urbanization, created job opportunities, and produced better products and services. Scientific advancements were significant because they led to better agricultural practices, improved communication, transport, and human and animal health. Essentially, the Jacksonian era illustrates a period of massive changes, politically, socially, and economically, due to the principles adopted by President Andrew Jackson.
Works Cited
Barney, William. A Companion to 19th Century America. Wiley-Blackwell; 1st edition (2006).
Duchess, Eric. Between Frontier and Factory: Growth and Development in Washington, Pennsylvania, West Virginia University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. 2012. 3530311.
Kohl, Lawrence Fredrick. The politics of individualism: Parties and the American character in the Jacksonian era. Oxford University Press. 2012.
Pessen Edward. Society and Politics in the Jacksonian Era Vol.82.No, 1.1984. pp.1-27.
Pessen, Edward. Jacksonian America: Society, Personality, and Politics. The University of Illinois. Illini Books. 1978.
Pavarini, Massimo. The Jacksonian Era: Economic Development, Marginality, and Social Control Policy. In: The Prison and the Factory (40th Anniversary Edition). Palgrave Studies in Prisons and Penology. Palgrave Macmillan, London. 2018. pp.147-202.
Sellers Charles. The Market Revolution: Jacksonian America, 1815-1846. Oxford University Press. 1994.
Struik, D.J. American Science between 1780 and 1830: The exploration and industrialization of the new nation led to advances in natural science and technology. Vol.129. No.3356.2. 1959. pp.1100-1106.
Wason, James Robert. Labor and politics in Washington in the early Jacksonian era. American University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. 1964.
Wilentz, Sean. On Class and Politics in Jacksonian America.JSTOR.Vol.10. No,4. 1982. pp.45-63.
Footnotes
- Wilentz, Sean. On Class and Politics in Jacksonian America.JSTOR.Vol.10. No,4. 1982. pp.45-63.
- Duchess, Eric. Between Frontier and Factory: Growth and Development in Washington, Pennsylvania, West Virginia University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. 2012. 3530311.
- Kohl, Lawrence Fredrick. The politics of individualism: Parties and the American character in the Jacksonian era. Oxford University Press. 2012.
- Struik, D.J. American Science between 1780 and 1830: The exploration and industrialization of the new nation led to advances in natural science and technology. Vol.129. No.3356.24, 1959. pp.1100-1106.
- Sellers Charles. The Market Revolution: Jacksonian America, 1815-1846. Oxford University Press. 1994.
- Pavarini, Massimo. The Jacksonian Era: Economic Development, Marginality, and Social Control Policy. In: The Prison and the Factory (40th Anniversary Edition). Palgrave Studies in Prisons and Penology. Palgrave Macmillan, London. 2018. pp.147-202.
- Wason, James Robert. Labor and politics in Washington in the early Jacksonian era. American University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. 1964.
- Barney, William. A Companion to 19th Century America. Wiley-Blackwell; 1st edition, 2006.